Should I put African American if I have egyptian grandfather?

I never thought to put African American on my school apps and shit because I'm originally Iranian and that's considered Caucasian. My grandfather was Egyptian and my grandmother was half Egyptian. I'm gonna be honest, I heard that being a minority boosts your chances of getting hired. Technically Egypt is in Africa which does make me part African American. I could theoretically check multi-racial and hit Caucasian and African american.

Also, what are recruiters gonna think if I pull up on an interview and they see a Middle-Eastern guy and they expected someone black.

31 Comments
 

I suppose we should all put down African American, since all our ancestors originate from there.

From Compton to Harvard Square- an American life, albeit affirmative action style.

 

It's really about race, not national origin. Plenty of Indians and White people in South Africa for multiple generations. Not like they are putting themselves down as African American if they immigrate to the U.S. That being said, if you get brought in for an in-person interview, the hiring manager(s) making the decision haven't looked at your entire application. Most likely they have just seen your resume. My guess is that it will help you get interviews to some extent but everything else will be on you.

 

While technically correct, you'll get fucked. Unless you're Black, that shit won't fly.

Welcome to the land of make believe.

 

You are more Asian than African-American though. However at the same time you come from a country whose name means "aryan" which is the master race I guess. This race stuff is confusing.

 
Best Response

I'm 90% certain this is a troll but I'm going to answer anyways.

To put it simply: No, you should not tell recruiters you are black if you are not black.

Why not?

  1. You're not fucking black

Imagine you get an interview and show up for final rounds to find the partner across from you is black. He's expecting a black interviewee. You are clearly not black. He raises an eyebrow and calmly asks where you're from. You tell him New Jersey. He's still staring at you. You tell him your family is from Egypt. You are now the biggest assclown he has interviewed in the past 3 years.

Finally, the OCC has opined on this and according to their criteria, they have determined that:

  1. You're not fucking black

See below:

https://www.occ.gov/static/community-affairs/community-developments-new…

 
"BreakingOutOfPWM"

I'm 90% certain this is a troll but I'm going to answer anyways.

To put it simply: No, you should not tell recruiters you are black if you are not black.

Why not?

  1. You're not fucking black

Imagine you get an interview and show up for final rounds to find the partner across from you is black. He's expecting a black interviewee. You are clearly not black. He raises an eyebrow and calmly asks where you're from. You tell him New Jersey. He's still staring at you. You tell him your family is from Egypt. You are now the biggest assclown he has interviewed in the past 3 years.

Finally, the OCC has opined on this and according to their criteria, they have determined that:

  1. You're not fucking black

See below:
https://www.occ.gov/static/community-affairs/commu...

Dang, thanks for the constructive reply. I guess that would be an awkward position to be in lol.

 

Are you African-American? - Yes. Are you black? - Probably Not.

I'm not sure what exactly it states, but these are two completely different ideas. African-American is a designation of national origin while Black is about race (which is arguably a self-identification / nonexistent idea created by man). You would receive negative feedback from the majority of people in this country if you identify as black for this purpose and your skin pigmentation does not reflect this self-identification (you can argue this is inappropriate and unjustified, but it's the truth, and both sides have legitimate arguments albeit one-side is likely a lot more vitriolic about their views). Your claim that you can click "multi-racial" and click "Caucasian and African-American" is incorrect because African-American is not a race. However, I don't know you and only you know what could be feasible in the realm of self-identifcation that is sadly so relevant in our divisive society.

Cheers

 

Let's cut him some slack.

My suggestion is this: you need to have at least one of (preferably two for a guaranteed food stamp style win): If so, then go for it.

  • natural swagger - not that fake vanilla ice swag, I'm taking about the real deal here. e.g. Denzel
  • deep, commanding voice
  • weird middle name such as tyrone, Deshawn, Latrell etc to pull this off legitimately
  • college level basketball or football

Oh yea, it'd help if you had:

  • at least two baby mamas (no racist)
 

LMAO I'm assuming this is a joke right? As for name you have to be more authentic than that! How about using one with several contractions in it?

Rey'Swindell Thompkins or Twerkaniqua Simpson

 

I didn't want to comment on this race bait thread but I have a serious problem with your premise that "being a minority boosts your chances to get hired". Studies show this to be the exact opposite. The entire reason they have minority hiring events and shit like that is to circumvent the informal "networking and connections" system that puts minorities at a disadvantage (sorry I don't have some aunt or dad's friend who is an MD at xyz to hook it up, sorry it isn't easy to relate to me in networking b/c I look different and had different experiences growing up than you did). This comical myth that minorities somehow have it easier in the hiring process when most evidence points to the contrary is ignorant.

Array
 

Because everyone is saying not to do it, I say you should absolutely do it. The hiring team will love your risky balls deep attempt at earning the offer. Can you trace your heritage back to royal lineage? Perhaps you are related to Ramses IV?

...
 

Honestly nothing would happen, but it's just kinda messed up. People don't get your full application when you make it to a final round or anything...just your resume. Nowhere does it indicate that it's the resume of a black guy (unless you're coming through a diversity program), that would be absolutely ridiculous.

 

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